The flu at its peak, over 18,000 cases per week

The flu is at the peak of circulation and infection rates. The last days of January have significantly increased illness in the population, as well as severe forms caused by the AH3N2 and AH1N1 subtypes.

The Institute of Public Health reports 18,500 cases affected in the past week alone, but the real figures are much higher, as not everyone turns to health centers and family doctors.

“We are at the peak of flu circulation and upper and lower respiratory infections. The circulation of the AH3 subtype predominates, followed by the AH1 subtype, and it should be noted that the same situation exists across the entire European continent,” Artan Simaku, a specialist at the Institute of Public Health, told A2 CNN.

According to official figures from the Institute of Public Health, we are not yet in a flu epidemic, but the wave of infections has significantly increased the flow of patients to health centers and hospital admissions.

All age groups are affected, but children and the elderly are the patients experiencing the flu more severely this season. “The trend of hospitalizations has increased, but we can say it is within a normal situation for the season. We insist that protocols be respected, meaning the referral system should be applied, because for a simple fever that is very well managed by the family doctor and for a prescription, crowding and overcrowding of emergency rooms is caused,” Simaku says.

This week alone, 130 patients with severe flu complications have been hospitalized in the infectious disease service. There are also increased cases in the sanatorium. And without a doubt, pediatrics is facing a high influx of emergency cases as well, where in addition to the flu, children are also affected by respiratory syncytial virus and other viral infections.

Referring to previous years as well, public health experts say that flu circulation will remain at its peak during the first weeks of February. After that, the curve of infections is expected to decline.

“KORÇA BOOM”